OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 7 May 1907, Page 3

OBITUARY.

Emily Alzdorf, aged 46. Quite a gloom was cast over Foxton on Sunday morning when it was made known that the wife of Mr Walter Alzdorf had died suddenly at her residence in Norbiton Road at an early hour that morning. It appears that the deceased was apparently in her usual health on Saturday night and expressed a wish to her husband to get up in the morning and prepare the breakfast. On Sunday morning she appeared to be in her usual spirits, and in fact had been joking with her daughters. The only complaint she had made at any time was a difficulty in breathing. She was, however seized with heart failure, and the dissolution took place without warning. The awful, suddenness of her death was a hard blow to the husband and children, who have been bereft respectively of a devoted wife and affectionate mother and to whom the sympathy of the whole neighbourhood is extended. She leaves a family of four girls and one boy to mourn their loss, the eldest of whom is 2i years and the youngest 13. The deceased was the daughter of the late Mr Henry Symons and was bom at Wharangi and had lived in the district all her life. The funeral took place to-day and was attended by mourners from all parts of the district. The coffin was covered with beautiful floral tributes and many messages of condolence have been received by the sorrowing husband and family. The Rev. Mr Woodward conducted the ceremony at the graveside. The body was also brought to All Saint’s Church, where a short service was held. The Inquest. An inquest touching the death of Mrs . Alzdorf was held before Alf. Fraser Esq. J.P. acting coroner, at the Courthouse yesterday morning, and the following jury : Messrs P. H. Rae-Howard, (foreman), Ed- Sutherland, Reeston Baker, E. Healey, R. Newth and J. Frew. After the jury had viewed the body the following evidence was taken: Walter Henry Alzdorf, surveyor, and husband of deceased, deposed that at about 6.30 a.m. on Sunday, May sth. while in bed he heard a heavy fall in the scullery which adjoins the bedroom. The children called and asked him to get up, as their mother had fallen. Called to his son, and hastened to the scullery. Saw his wife lying on the floor on her back, gasping for breath. Raised her to a sitting position, and bathed her head. Thought the deceased had fainted. She appeared to get worse, and threw her head from side to side, and her breathing seemed to get less distinct. Sent for medical assistance. With assistance removed the deceased to the bedroom. The breathing then appeared to cease. Dr Mandl then arrived and rendered medical aid, which, however, was of no avail.

By the police : Did not speak to her that morning. Deceased had expressed a wish to get up in the morning and prepare breakfast. She was in her usual spirits before retiring and in fact was joking with the children. Deceased had

prepared the breakfast before the /seizure. She did not complain of / feeling unwell. Dr C. Iv. Mandl deposed to being summoned to attend deceased. When witness arrived he found the patient practically pulseless and suffering apparently from cardiac syncope. Administered the usual restoratives, but within a few minutes, it was apparent that life was extinct. Was instructed to make a post mortem examination’ which I did. I found the heart infiltrated with a considerable amount of fatty tissue, the walls being very thin and showing degenerative fatty changes. The condition of the heart in my opinion was the cause of death. The jury returned the following verdict -.—That Emily Alzdorf came by her death through fatty degeneration of the heart and in accordance with medical testimony.